Any joint replacement surgery aims to relieve pain and improve movement to a damaged joint. A damaged joint can result from disease, wear and tear, overuse, and injury. Various non-surgical treatments can be used to help relieve pain and increase mobility. These treatments include hot and cold compresses, anti-inflammatory medicines, physical therapy, and cortisone or gel injections. Once all non-operative options are exhausted, joint replacement surgery may be the next step.
What is Joint Replacement Surgery?
Joint replacement surgery, often known as joint arthroplasty, is a procedure that involves replacing a damaged joint with an artificial one. In some cases, depending on the joint’s condition, the orthopedic surgeon may elect to repair the damaged components of the joint rather than replace the entire joint, known as a unicompartmental (partial) joint replacement. However, even when a repair is successful, the joint may require a total replacement in the future.
Procedures
The types of prosthetics available and techniques have advanced dramatically in recent years in joint replacement.
Providers now use a vast variety of techniques for hip replacements. A new technique that many providers are adapting to is the anterior total hip replacement rather than the traditional posterior approach. The anterior approach allows your orthopedic surgeon to work between the muscles versus the posterior approach requiring the surgeon to cut the muscles and other soft tissues. It is generally thought that an anterior approach can help lessen your recovery time and use of pain medication postoperatively.
Postoperatively after a total joint replacement, you will begin home health or outpatient therapy the day after you are discharged from the hospital. This plan ensures your body and new joint get acclimated to one another, allowing you to begin to learn how to walk and become mobile with your joint replacement. You will generally require some assistive devices directly after your surgery, but with physical therapy, you should be able to get rid of those sometimes within two weeks after surgery.
Results from Surgery
The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons reports that 90 percent of patients receiving joint replacement surgery have minimal or no pain afterward. As a result, most patients return to performing daily activities, and many can resume activities like walking and golf, which they had given up years before due to joint pain. In addition, most artificial joints last more than 20 years so that joint replacement patients can live a long active, pain-free life.
Carolina Regional Orthopaedics
Are you dealing with chronic joint pain? Have you had to stop an activity you enjoy? Contact Carolina Regional Orthopaedics for an evaluation. Our team of surgeons and pain management experts can recommend a plan to get you back doing what you love. Call 252-443-0400 and set up an appointment today.